Grand Seiko celebrate the 20th anniversary of their most famous caliber

It’s two decades since the introduction of the 9S mechanical caliber. Grand Seiko are celebrating in style

Words: The Gentleman

The creation of the 92 mechanical caliber in 1998 was arguably the most important moment in the history of Grand Seiko – after the brand’s inception, of course.

Entirely new and designed from scratch to deliver the high precision and excellent durability for which the watchmaker had become renowned, the 9S has spent the last two decades being continuously enhanced – with everything from Spron alloy springs to MEMS engineering.

Today, this is a caliber that has become synonymous with Grand Seiko – with each of the company’s watches built on the platform. Relying on high precision, long power reserve and robust construction, it is a caliber of the highest calibre – and one that deserves celebrating. So, on the twentieth anniversary of its creation, that is exactly what Grand Seiko are doing.

"The 9S has spent the last two decades being continuously enhanced..."

This celebration takes the form of three limited edition timepieces, each of which pays homage to the high precision of the caliber 9S in a distinct way.

In platinum, the VFA (Very Fine Adjusted) tradition is celebrated. A term first coined in 1969, when the Grand Seiko team achieved a precision rate far in excess of the Grand Seiko standard, the name is now given to a new watch in a platinum 950 case with a design inspired by Nobuhiro Kosugi, the designer of the first 9S watch in 1998.

The two additional limited editions can be found in an 18k gold case and a stainless steel case. Both share the same design as the VFA creation, however, the gold version is adjusted to the Grand Seiko Special standard and offers a precision rate of +4 to -2 seconds per day.

All three limited editions are available from March 2018 at selected Grand Seiko retail partners and the Seiko and Grand Seiko boutiques.